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Written by Mike Muir
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Thursday, 01 April 2010 21:51 |
The Mongoose Cup turned out to be more fun then most of us had anticipated. It was kind of like the little brother to the Battle of the Paddle. As I approached Baby Beach where the event was held I couldn't help but feel the positive vibe and be won over by the level of enthusiasm that was all around me. My initial intention was to approach this event as purely a spectator but before long I was caught up in the enthusiasm finding myself signed up on a relay team with friends. People were milling around everywhere looking for the right person to complete their 4 person teams. Each team was required to have one female, one senior (50 & over) and either a junior (16 & under) or intermediate paddlers on their respective teams.
The early buzz on the event was that it was just going to be a fun event and no one was taking it serious. Well that all seemed to change on race day when we all started to realize how some of the teams were stacked with talent. Soon it was evident that we were going to be part of something where bragging rights were serious business. Before the main relay race started the Harbor Master gathered the crowed to discuss the new Coast Guard regulations (life vests on your board) that were going to be enforced from today on in Dana Point. The Harbor Master also went over the rules of navigation everyone needs to know while paddling in the Harbor. Once the pleasantries were commenced, Jodie Nelson got up to say some kinds words about her friend and our fellow paddler, Steve Adler whom we lost last week.
Now it was time for everyone to come gather and get ready for the paddle around the island. Mickey and his dog Gidget would lead the way as we all followed in this ceremonial group paddle. The paddle was just for fun no hurry, everyone gathered together like one big tribe unified and determined to have fun. The Harbor Patrol soon took the lead spraying water from their hoses as they went. Approximately 30 minutes passed when the first of the paddlers were spotted coming around the corner. Soon everyone was gathered just off the beach as the Harbor Patrol centered themselves in the middle of the pack and started to spray everyone as they all cheered. What a great way to kick off the event.
Before long everyone was back on the beach gathering with their respective teams getting ready for the relay race. The Beach Marshal announced 10 minutes until the start and all the first leggers lined the beach for the beginning of the relay. Bam! The starter gun fired and roughly 20 people started running for the water, bumping into each other falling in the water, scrambling to be first. By the time the pack rounded the first buoy the group was beginning to thin. At the second buoy it soon became clear who the veteran paddlers were. The first paddlers hit the beach in about 10 minutes, jumping off their boards, running up the beach through a chicane their destiny to finish by tagging the next team member. The tag team went on until each racer had completed the course 2 times. The next group of 20 got ready to do the same thing as many of us went looking for the oxygen. Distance paddling is one thing but doing sprints is a whole new ball game. Definitely most of us were caught off guard with some of us hoping we would not make it to the second round. After the second group finished they let everyone rest for about 15 minutes before they made the call to start the finals. Fifteen minutes passed quickly with the beach Marshall calling everyone back to the starting line for the final. The final race was essentially the same as the qualifying races but this time each racer did one lap around the course instead of two. The tensions were building as the racers lined the beach, the gun fired and they were off once again. Everyone scrambled for the pole position as they rounded the buoys paddling their hearts out heading for the beach. The buzz on the beach kept building as each team got closer to finishing the race. Soon the crowds on the beach started moving closer and closer to the finish line as the racers were heading for the beach. One by one as the final races crossed the line the whole beach would erupt in cheers and then the usual congratulations would follow with team members giving each other hugs and high fives. The winning teams gathered together for photos and interviews by the local news and a film crew that was documenting Jim Terrell and the Quick Blade team.
Everyone soon stated gathering up on the grass to share stories discuss strategies and eat the great barbecue spread laid out for everyone. The success of the event was evidenced by the smiles you saw all around you.
We need to thank Barrett Tester and his team of volunteers for putting on such a fun event. City of Dana Point and the County of Orange for having the vision to understand and embrace the sport of SUP.
(1st Place Team H20 Overdrive
Jim Terrell, Matt Becker, John Becker and Vicki Mills)
2nd Place Team Extreme
Lance Erickson, Julie Wolfe, Thomas Maximus and Jayson Campbell
3rd Place Team Riviera
Brad Rambo, Branden Rambo, Elsa and Pat Howe
(4th Place Team Hobie # 1)
(5th Place Team SUPCompany)
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